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Charles Kirby, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C

Academic Planning & Design

Charles is a nationally recognized expert on designing innovative academic environments that enhance the quality of STEM education and collaborative learning. His focus reflects a deep passion for creating inviting spaces that encourage interdisciplinary dialogue. A senior member of EYP’s STEM Research Team, his designs seamlessly integrate technology to put science on display, demonstrating the excitement of scientific discovery to majors and non-majors alike. He is an author and frequent lecturer on the special challenges and issues of designing for higher education at Tradeline, The Society of College and University Planners (SCUP), and Project Kaleidoscope. His participation in the national dialogue advances the evolution of science learning and teaching environments.

Publications

Amidst research and reports showing that a third of U.S. post-secondary institutions are struggling financially, many of them see a highly competitive STEM program as a key to their future success and survival.

Research universities and liberal arts colleges are taking a closer look at how they apportion lab space to provide the best research environment for faculty and an optimal learning atmosphere for students, while adhering to safety protocols, reducing costs, and adding institutional flexibility.

Our mission is to design buildings that improve the quality of science education. To go beyond anecdotal evidence that it is fulfilling this mission, we aim to develop a plan to systematically evaluate its designs.